Three consecutive
winning seasons (6-5 in 2000, 6-5 in 2001, and 8-4 in 2002) for only the
second time in the programs 34-year tenure in the major-college
ranks. Back-to-back Mid-American Conference co-West Division titles (2001
and 2002). And now a league-leading and school-record 11 All-MAC gridiron
selections in one year.
What more could Northern Illinois want? Novak readily knows the answer
to that question.

That certainly
is tremendous recognition from the leagues coaches that 11 of our
kids are named All-MAC, Novak replied. Thats great.
It really is. All of them are deserving of such an honor. Next year, we
have several of them back. Still, with all those awards, that is not our
focus. Its still a team game and we want a shot at playing in the
MAC Championship Game and in a bowl game. Each one of these kids will
tell you the same thing themselves.

Novaks 11 all-conference
picks this autumn represent another step in the rebuilding program that
took the Huskies from national doormat to the Mid-Ams upper echelon.
Sadly, Northern Illinois dropped its regular-season MAC finale to the
University of Toledo by a 33-30 margin for its only league setback, which
cost the Huskies an appearance in the title game this Saturday (December
7) against East Division champion Marshall University and live on ESPN2.

Azar and Williams
joined an elite Huskie group of only eight players to be named All-MAC
in football three times since 1975---and the former possesses a unique
opportunity to become the first Northern Illinois four-time All-Mid-Am
performer next season. Azar, who heads into 2003 as the leagues
No. 1 active scorer with 266 career kick-scoring points (110-of-115 PATs
and 52-of-66 field goals), made Honorable Mention All-MAC in 2000, First-Team
in 2001, and Second-Team in 2002. Williams, a First-Team All-Mid-Am choice
in both 2000 and 2002, plus an Honorable Mention pick in 2001, finished
his career ranked No. 5 on the All-Time Huskie Hit List with 434 career
tackles.

Drew and Thompson
started in a Northern Illinois secondary that ranked No. 9 in the nation
during the preseason and combined for 12 interceptions and 26 deflections
this year. Nationally, Drew ranks No. 6 in NCAA picks with
seven (0.58 per game) and No. 15 in kickoff returns (26.1 ypr.). In 2001,
Thompson also made First-Team All-MAC.
Vincent---who led the Huskie O-line with 16 dominator (pancake)
blocks this fall and 29 during the last two years---earned First-Team
All-Mid-Am status in 2002 after being a Second-Team pick as a junior.
In his first season as a starter, Moore shared the Northern Illinois tackle
for loss lead (13) with Williams. Dunker, Ghilani, Atkinson, and Duffy
won All-MAC honors for the first time.

Other Mid-Am football
awards that will be announced this week include Freshman of the Year and
Special Teams Player of the Year Tuesday (December 3), Defensive Player
of the Year Wednesday (December 4), Offensive Player of the Year Thursday
(December 5), and Coach of the Year and Vern Smith Award recipient Friday
(December 6).